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[220]
Nay, indeed, in case it had so fallen out, that our nation had not
been so thoroughly known among all men as they are, and our voluntary submission
to our laws had not been so open and manifest as it is, but that somebody
had pretended to have written these laws himself, and had read them to
the Greeks, or had pretended that he had met with men out of the limits
of the known world, that had such reverent notions of God, and had continued
a long time in the firm observance of such laws as ours, I cannot but suppose
that all men would admire them on a reflection upon the frequent changes
they had therein been themselves subject to; and this while those that
have attempted to write somewhat of the same kind for politic government,
and for laws, are accused as composing monstrous things, and are said to
have undertaken an impossible task upon them. And here I will say nothing
of those other philosophers who have undertaken any thing of this nature
in their writings. But even Plato himself, who is so admired by the Greeks
on account of that gravity in his manners, and force in his words, and
that ability he had to persuade men beyond all other philosophers, is little
better than laughed at and exposed to ridicule on that account, by those
that pretend to sagacity in political affairs; although he that shall diligently
peruse his writings will find his precepts to be somewhat gentle, and pretty
near to the customs of the generality of mankind. Nay, Plato himself confesseth
that it is not safe to publish the true notion concerning God among the
ignorant multitude. Yet do some men look upon Plato's discourses as no
better than certain idle words set off with great artifice. However, they
admire Lycurgus as the principal lawgiver, and all men celebrate Sparta
for having continued in the firm observance of his laws for a very long
time. So far then we have gained, that it is to be confessed a mark of
virtue to submit to laws. 1
But then let such as admire this in the Lacedemonians compare that duration
of theirs with more than two thousand years which our political government
hath continued; and let them further consider, that though the Lacedemonians
did seem to observe their laws exactly while they enjoyed their liberty,
yet that when they underwent a change of their fortune, they forgot almost
all those laws; while we, having been under ten thousand changes in our
fortune by the changes that happened among the kings of Asia, have never
betrayed our laws under the most pressing distresses we have been in; nor
have we neglected them either out of sloth or for a livelihood. 2
if any one will consider it, the difficulties and labors laid upon us have
been greater than what appears to have been borne by the Lacedemonian fortitude,
while they neither ploughed their land, nor exercised any trades, but lived
in their own city, free from all such pains-taking, in the enjoyment of
plenty, and using such exercises as might improve their bodies, while they
made use of other men as their servants for all the necessaries of life,
and had their food prepared for them by the others; and these good and
humane actions they do for no other purpose but this, that by their actions
and their sufferings they may be able to conquer all those against whom
they make war. I need not add this, that they have not been fully able
to observe their laws; for not only a few single persons, but multitudes
of them, have in heaps neglected those laws, and have delivered themselves,
together with their arms, into the hands of their enemies.

1 It may not be amiss to set down here a very remarkable testimony of the
great philosopher Cicero, as to the preference of laws to philosophy:
"I will," says he, "boldly declare my opinion, though the whole
world be offended at it. I prefer this little book of the Twelve Tables
alone to all the volumes of the philosophers. I find it to be not only
of more weight, but also much more useful." Oratore.

2 we have observed our times of rest, and sorts of food allowed us [during
our distresses].

Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.

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